Photo by Natalia Ahrens
York, Neb. – The McPherson College men's soccer team started a win streak on Friday, edging the York College Panthers 2-1 on their home turf.
The Bulldogs picked up where they left off a week ago in their 4-2 win on the road at Friends University scoring the first two goals against the Panthers. Rodrigo De Castro (Sr. Rio de Janeiro), playing his first game for the Bulldogs, and the first game in over two years, made good in his debut. In the final minute of the first half, De Castro received a cross from Jorge Abdiel Ramos-Hernandez (So. Jalisco, Mexico) and slotted the ball past the Panther Keeper.
The Bulldogs maintained a one goal lead late into the second half. In the 78th minute, Ramos-Hernandez was one on one with the keeper, but didn't strike the ball cleanly and the Panther keeper was able to make the save, pushing the ball out of bounds. On the ensuing cornerkick the Bulldogs bailed out their teammate's missed "gimme" when Diego Santibanez (Fr. Anna, Texas), served an in-swinger into the box and Lucas Williams (So. London, England), was there to head it home.
With the Bulldogs leading 2-0, things got a bit chippy between the two sides. The Panthers began pressing, playing a more aggressive style of play. The plan paid off for the home side. They were able to cut the Bulldog lead in half in the 87th minute on a goal from Pedro Carvalho. With under a minute left to go in regulation, the Bulldogs were called for a foul in their defensive third setting up a free kick for the Panthers from about 40 yards out. The Panthers played the ball to the top of the 18 where it pin-balled off of a couple of Mac players, before it was finally cleared out as time expired.
The Bulldogs dominated the stat sheet, taking 14 shots total, and putting eight of them on frame. The Panthers on the other hand were more efficient placing all four of their shots on goal and coming away with one goal. Jose Alonso (Sr. Wichita, Kan.), got the start in goal for the Bulldogs and picked up the win, tallying three saves in the process.
Bulldog head coach, Doug Quint had a family event and was unable to travel with the team so assistant coach Kent Freund took his place on the sidelines and led the team to the win. Freund summed up the win saying, "I'm very proud of the commitment to compete today from the boys. We scored some fantastic goals today, but at the same time we also left some chances on the table and left the door open for York. In all, it was another great step forward!"
With the win, the Bulldogs move to 2-1-1 overall, and 2-1 in KCAC play. Next up is a home game against the Avila University Eagles next Saturday at Paul Family Field. The men are set to kick-off at 1:30 pm following the women's game.
Â
